Fourier Encoded Arterial Spin Labeling Software

Current methods of arterial spin labeling-based vascular territory mapping require extensive pre-planning to tailor a scan to each patient. Additionally, scan speeds are slow, resulting in long and costly MRI sessions.

Invention Summary

Wake Forest’s Fourier encoded arterial spin labeling software automatically determines vessels’ locations, resulting in scan times of less than 5 minutes. The software tracks the path of blood flow as it mixes or branches throughout the circulatory system. The software’s outputs are blood flow maps that use color to distinguish the relative contributions of blood sources at each point in the brain.

Competitive Benefits

This software delivers scans in less than five minutes with improved resolution.

This software is immune to errors causing signal loss or inaccurate results.

This software does not suffer from tagging errors and can be used efficiently even with carotid stents or aneurysm clips.

No contrast is required and individual sources of blood flow can be resolved on a per-voxel basis.

This software is compatible with current scanners.

Application Fields

Mapping perfusion sources for the brain; helpful in arterial occlusion from plaques or chemotherapy-induced stenosis

Measuring the relative contribution of various arteries to points of interest within the brain, such as a tumor or stroke-affected areas

Provides non-invasive probing of the brain for congenital quirks of the vasculature

Status

Pulse sequence and post-processing have been fully developed.

This software has been successfully tested in human subjects with clinical machines.